Page 16 of Blood Weaver
“Consider it a warning,” I responded, my voice steady.
He smirked and leaned in again. “I've always been drawn to the dangerous ones.”
The space between us dwindled as his face neared mine. Shrouded in the darkness of the alcove, every sensation was heightened. A poignant silence pulsed with unspoken words and tension, thick and suffocating as it seemed to suck all the breath from my lungs.
“Tell me, Leila,” Ronan murmured, closing the small gap that I had created between us. His fingers traced a line from my wrist, up my forearm, making me shiver. “Why are you so afraid of me? Or are you afraid of what I make you feel?”
His words hit a nerve. “You presume too much,” I countered. My eyes darted away to escape the intensity of his gaze, but he was not deterred.
He chuckled softly. Using his other hand to lift my chin, he forced me to meet his eyes. “I can feel your heartbeat, Leila. It’s racing, just like mine.”
I swallowed hard, trapped by his proximity and the truth of his words. “This,” I waved between us, “can never be anything.”
He arched an eyebrow and the corner of his lips curled into a teasing smile. “Who said I wanted it to be 'something'? Maybe I just enjoy the chase.”
My eyes narrowed, even as my heart skipped a beat. “Or maybe you’re just not used to being denied.”
The challenge in my words seemed to ignite something in him. His hands found my waist and he pulled me flush against him until I felt every line and curve of his body mold against my own; air escaped my lungs at the movement. The realization of how perfectly we fit together made me dizzy.
Ronan leaned down, his lips hovering just above mine. “Maybe,” he whispered, his breath warm against my skin. “But it makes me want to play with you even more.”
The world seemed to spin and his heady presence was overwhelming. I felt intoxicated by the mix of danger and desire. Our lips were millimeters apart. All I had to do was lean forward a fraction. Anticipation toward the inevitable was building until someone knocked on one of the doors down the hall and our trance was broken. Taking full advantage of the distraction, I pushed him away and slid out of the dark corner.
As I turned to leave, Ronan caught my arm one more time. His voice was husky when he warned, “Know this, Leila … this isn’t over. I have a feeling our paths will cross again, and next time,” his eyes darkened with promise, “I won't be so easily interrupted.”
My resolve faltered for a brief moment, but I managed to smile. “We'll see about that.” Before I could second-guess myself, I left the intoxicating darkness of the alcove and Ronan’s magnetic pull, quickly stepping back into the main area of the pleasure house. But to my horror, I stepped outside the alcove just as Caelan and Marcellus entered the Rose Petal.
What are they doing here?Pleasure houses were widely considered to be the province of those in the lower classes, not the playground of royalty. I certainly hadn’t anticipated that our paths would cross here, of all places.
I was frozen in place as Madam Rose approached them. The odious woman practically vibrated in her excitement. It was rare for royalty to make an appearance here. Much lesstwoprinces.
“Hello, Your Highnesses! It’s a pleasure to host you here tonight,” Madam Rose blustered cheerily.
Caelan cleared his throat. “I want to see one of your girls … Her name is Selene.”
“Oh, I’m sorry!” Madam Rose raised her brows in faux shock. “The mermaid is currently entertaining another guest, but I’m sure I can find another suitable girl for your time here.” Madam Rose snapped her fingers, catching the attention of a handful of girls standing close by. They glided toward the madam and stood in a line, bright eyed and hoping to be picked. No doubt they hoped one of the princes would fall in love with them and whisk them away from the shackles that bound them to the Rose Petal Lounge.
Caelan shook his head. “I don’t want another girl. I want Selene,” he said as he tossed a pouch filled with coins. “Anda private room.”
Madam Rose caught the pouch with one hand and took a quick glance inside. From her expression, she was pleased with what she saw. It must have been filled to the brim with glints.
“Of course, Your Highness,” Madam Rose said eagerly. Shooing the girls away with an imperial wave, she turned on her slippered foot and hurried to retrieve Selene.
I frowned as I watched the exchange, then it dawned on me why Caelan and Marcellus were here … I told Caelan that the Crimson Clan didn’t have the lost princess, and the governor hinted that it was due to my friend Selene’s pillow talk connections. He was here to confirm it.
I couldn’t let them talk to her. Not without giving her a heads-up. I started to stop them when a calloused hand encircled my arm and pulled me back against a firm chest.
“And where do you think you’re going?” Ronan asked.
“I don’t have time for your nonsense right now!” I gritted as I futilely attempted to rip my arm out of his firm grasp.
He looked between me and the two princes, then back to me. “How do you know the princes?” he asked with a quirked brow.
“Who said I did?”
He snorted and tightened his hold on my arm. “It looks like you’re about to run right into one of their arms.”
“Leila?” Caelan called out my name once he saw me. He looked at Ronan and the grip on my arm and back to Ronan. “Why am I not surprised to see you in this sort of establishment?”
